Experience the Magical Moments Of Uganda Safari
9 Days Southern Wilderness – Selous & Ruaha
Overview: 9 Days Southern Wilderness – Selous & Ruaha
The 9 Days Southern Wilderness Safari is a journey into the raw, unfiltered soul of Tanzania’s wildest landscapes. Far from the well-trodden northern circuit, the south offers a quieter, deeper, and more authentic encounter with Africa’s wilderness. Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park come together to form one of the largest protected ecosystems on the continent, a vast expanse of bushland, river valleys, palm-fringed wetlands, ancient forests, and rugged escarpments. Here, predators thrive undisturbed, elephants roam in massive herds, and the Rufiji and Great Ruaha Rivers breathe life into a pristine ecosystem. This safari is designed for travelers seeking solitude, exclusivity, and the pure rhythm of nature without crowds — a place where every moment feels untouched and every scene feels like Africa as it once was.
Tour Highlights
- Day 1 – Arrival in Dar es Salaam
- Day 2 – Dar es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve
- Day 3 – Exploring Selous: Boat Safari on the Rufiji River
- Day 4 – Full-Day Game Drive Through Selous
- Day 5 – Selous to Ruaha National Park
- Day 6 – Full-Day Wildlife Immersion in Ruaha
- Day 7 – Walking Safari and Afternoon Game Drive in Ruaha
- Day 8 – Final Exploration of Ruaha’s Wild Landscapes
- Day 9 – Farewell to Ruaha and Flight to Dar es Salaam
Detailed Itinerary: 9 Days Southern Wilderness – Selous & Ruaha
Day 1 – Arrival in Dar es Salaam
Your adventure begins in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s coastal gateway where the warm Indian Ocean breeze mingles with the hum of the city. After landing, you are welcomed and transferred to your hotel, passing palm-lined roads, colorful markets, and a coastline glowing under late-afternoon sunlight. Here you rest, refresh, and prepare for your journey into the deep southern wilderness. The evening invites you to unwind while absorbing the tropical calm of Tanzania’s largest city before tomorrow’s flight into the wild.
Day 2 – Dar es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve
Morning comes with soft golden light filtering over the coastline as you board a small aircraft headed for Selous Game Reserve. From the sky, the landscape opens into endless stretches of bush, winding rivers, and palm-studded plains. Upon landing, the air feels different — wild, warm, and filled with the scent of the African bush. Your first game drive introduces you to Selous, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its enormous elephant population, healthy lion numbers, and incredible diversity of wildlife. By afternoon, you arrive at your riverside camp where the Rufiji River flows quietly past, setting the perfect backdrop for your first night in the wilderness.
Day 3 – Exploring Selous: Boat Safari on the Rufiji River
Today is all about experiencing the lifeline of Selous: the Rufiji River. You glide along the water in a safari boat, allowing you to witness wildlife from an entirely different perspective. Hippos grunt from the shallows, crocodiles bask along sunlit banks, and elephants wade into the river to drink and bathe. The riverine forests are alive with bird calls, creating a symphony of movement and color. This gentle yet captivating exploration reveals the deep connection between wildlife and water in this region. As evening arrives, the river reflects the fiery hues of sunset, completing a day immersed in Selous’s serene beauty.
Day 4 – Full-Day Game Drive Through Selous
With the early morning light spreading across the reserve, you venture deeper into Selous on a full-day game drive. The landscape varies from miombo woodlands to open savannah, from hidden lagoons to dense riverine thickets. This diversity creates a rich tapestry of life where lions patrol territories, wild dogs move in coordinated packs, giraffes stretch toward acacia canopies, and buffalo forge their way through tall grass. The isolation enhances the experience, offering a sense of being truly alone with nature. The day ends back at camp, where lanterns flicker along the riverbank and the sounds of nocturnal wildlife rise with the night.
Day 5 – Selous to Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, you board another scenic flight, this time heading west toward Ruaha National Park. As the plane descends, Ruaha’s dramatic landscapes unfold — sweeping valleys, rocky hills, baobab forests, and the winding Great Ruaha River cutting through the wilderness. The raw beauty of Ruaha is immediately striking. Upon arrival, your first game drive reveals a land dominated by elephant herds, large prides of lions, roaming leopards, and rugged terrain that feels both ancient and untouched. By evening, your lodge rests quietly among massive baobabs and sweeping views, offering a peaceful transition into the rugged heart of southern Tanzania.
Day 6 – Full-Day Wildlife Immersion in Ruaha
Today brings an immersive exploration of Ruaha’s wild and varied landscapes. Morning light paints the valley in warm tones as elephants move slowly across the horizon, accompanied by the soft crunch of dry grass underfoot. Your guide leads you through different habitats, each revealing its own cast of wildlife. The park’s predator density is remarkable, with lions often seen resting on rocky outcrops and leopards blending seamlessly into the forest edges. Ruaha’s birdlife adds vibrant color and sound to the wilderness, with hornbills, eagles, and brightly plumed species filling the sky. As the sun sets behind distant hills, the stillness that follows reflects the deep solitude of Ruaha.
Day 7 – Walking Safari and Afternoon Game Drive in Ruaha
Ruaha offers something truly intimate: the chance to explore the wilderness on foot. In the cool morning hours, you walk beside an experienced ranger, learning about animal tracks, plant life, and the unseen rhythms of the bush. This slow, detailed encounter creates a deeper connection to the land, allowing you to observe the small wonders often missed during drives. In the afternoon, you embark on another game drive to catch predators becoming active as the heat fades. The setting sun casts long shadows across the savannah, closing the day with a sense of wild peace and timeless beauty.
Day 8 – Final Exploration of Ruaha’s Wild Landscapes
Your final day in Ruaha is devoted to absorbing everything this remote ecosystem has to offer. The morning drive may reveal elephants along the river or a pride of lions awakening with the dawn. The park’s vastness allows each moment to unfold naturally, without rush, without crowds, and without interruption. After a relaxed afternoon at the lodge, you enjoy your final bush sunset, listening to the distant calls of hyenas and the soft rustle of baobab leaves. This evening becomes a quiet reflection of the deep, wild beauty you have experienced throughout the south.
Day 9 – Farewell to Ruaha and Flight to Dar es Salaam
The last morning in the wilderness arrives gently, with soft light settling over the mountains and riverbeds. After breakfast, you board your flight back to Dar es Salaam, watching the southern landscapes shrink into the distance as you leave behind one of Africa’s most pristine wildlife regions. You arrive in the early afternoon, marking the end of a safari defined by solitude, untouched wilderness, and some of the most authentic wildlife encounters in Tanzania.
Tour Includes
- Safari Park fees
- All Tour activities
- All Tour accommodation
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation ( To & From )
- All Taxes/VAT
- Everyday Meals ( As specified )
- Drinking water ( On all days )
Tour Excludes
- International flights ( From / to home )
- Additional Accommodation
- Tips
- Personal items(Souvenirs, etc.)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Gov increase of taxes and/or park fees
Inquiry Form: 9 Days Southern Wilderness – Selous & Ruaha
Start your journey today by filling out the form below. Share your travel dates, interests, and preferences, and our team at Lifepath Safaris Africa will design a personalized safari just for you. From gorilla trekking to Big Five game drives, we’ll tailor every detail to create your perfect East African adventure.
Why Travel with Us
Locally Rooted, Expertly Guided
Lifepath Safaris is proudly Ugandan — founded, guided, and managed by locals who know East Africa beyond maps. Our guides are storytellers, naturalists, and cultural ambassadors with years of experience leading safaris across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Authentic, Tailor-Made Experiences
We believe no two travelers are the same, and neither should their safaris be. Lifepath Safaris specializes in custom-designed itineraries — from luxury fly-in gorilla treks and Big Five safaris to cultural encounters, honeymoon getaways, and family adventures. Every detail — from lodge selection to pacing — is tailored around your interests, comfort, and sense of adventure.
Conservation with Heart
Our safaris are guided by a deep respect for nature and the communities who protect it. Lifepath Safaris actively supports eco-conscious lodges, community tourism projects, and local conservation initiatives that sustain wildlife habitats. When you travel with us, your journey contributes directly to protecting Uganda’s gorillas, elephants, and the incredible ecosystems that make Africa thrive.
Safety, Trust & Personalized Care
Your safety and comfort are our top priorities. Our team follows strict operational standards, uses well-maintained vehicles, and partners only with trusted lodges and camps. You’ll have 24/7 local support and personalized assistance from the moment you inquire to the day you return home — because at Lifepath, every traveler is family.